Full Breakdown
Daimler Truck North America to Shut Portland Manufacturing Plant, Affecting Hundreds of Workers
8/1/2026, 3:10:01 PM
Core Event: Plant Closure and Layoffs
Daimler Truck North America announced that its Swan Island manufacturing facility in Portland will cease truck production by the end of October. The shutdown will eliminate roughly 375 – 387 positions, including production workers, material handlers, supervisors and office staff. The company will retain its North American headquarters and engineering, product-development and testing operations in Portland, while shifting all manufacturing to plants in North and South Carolina.
Background & Context
The Swan Island plant has been a cornerstone of Portland’s industrial base for more than eight decades, producing Freightliner trucks and supporting generations of families. Earlier this year the company opened a new $40 million engineering center on the same site, signaling continued investment in research and development despite the manufacturing exit. The decision arrives amid a broader pattern of firms relocating out of Oregon, a trend highlighted by state employment data showing below-average real-GDP growth since 2020.
Data & Statistics
- Layoffs: Initial estimates cited 375 jobs; a later Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification listed 387 affected employees.
- Breakdown (per the WARN filing): 130 production workers, 54 material handlers, 21 supervisors, plus additional staff; 44 office workers are not union-represented.
- Remaining workforce: Over 3,000 employees will stay in Portland in non-manufacturing roles.
- Union coverage: The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District W24 and Local 1005 represent the majority of affected workers.
Official Statements & Responses
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek reiterated the state’s ongoing dialogue with Daimler, noting that the firm still employs more than 3,000 Oregonians and that the administration remains committed to partnership and support for the affected workforce.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We are providing transition assistance, severance benefits, and career support resources.” — Robert Sterling, company spokesperson
- “This decision was not driven by any single regulation, policy, or local business condition, and it is not tied to any specific product or technology," Sterling said.” — Robert Sterling, company spokesperson
- “They have high-quality jobs there, good-paying jobs, family-wage jobs with health care and with retirement security,” — Brandon Bryant, IAM District W24
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Two separate reports provide differing layoff totals: an earlier company comment referenced “approximately 375 jobs,” while the formal WARN filing listed “387 employees.” No independent verification of the exact headcount has been published.
What’s Next
The IAM and Daimler are scheduled to begin “effects-bargaining” next week, focusing on severance, benefit extensions and transition support rather than the closure decision itself. Daimler’s spokesperson indicated that internal job opportunities will be offered where qualifications align, and the company will continue to support affected workers through severance and career-transition services.
